Tell us about “Marry Me for Christmas,” your new movie?
I am excited about the movie. It’s the first time I am a producer. I am the executive producer along with Swirl Films. We shot this movie in eight days and if you ever been on a movie set, that’s a huge undertaking. I worked with an amazing cast and crew. Our director, Roger Melvin; and the writer, Rhonda Freeman-Baraka, had a really great vision for the film.
What made you decide to try your hand at producing?
I produced and starred and to be honest with you I was more or less asked to be a producer. There is a certain responsibility that comes with being a producer. At this point in my career it was the natural thing to transition to. I have been [acting] for three decades now. I think I have amassed a wealth of information, knowledge, and experience to bring to the table. I would provide suggestions to the script and it was great that Rhonda [Freeman-Baraka] was open-minded.
Tell us about your character, Marcy Jewel.
Marcy Jewel is the founder and CEO of Jewel Advertising, which is her own boutique advertising agency. You know I call her a “lady bulldog” but some people have another name for that — rhymes with snitch, but we won’t go there. But you know powerful women are unfairly given the B-word label. You know we’re just trying to be ambitious and trying to make our way and this is what this character is trying to do. She has put her career in front of her personal life. She doesn’t want to go home for Christmas by herself, so she takes a co-worker who poses as her fake fiancé.
Does the character have anything in common with you? Do you relate to her?
Yes, I am a businesswoman too. I based it on my sister, who has her own advertising agency. I can definitely relate to being caught between two gentlemen who are pursuing you. When you find yourself in that kind of situation you kind of feel like “Hey, I kinda like this,” [laughs].
